Sisay Sahlu Nigatu

An award-winning journalist recognized by IGAD in 2023 for climate reporting, I am a senior editor at The Ethiopian Reporter, Ethiopia’s leading newspaper. My expertise encompasses politics, the C rights, and diplomacy. In 2019, I co-founded the Ethiopian Media Professionals Association (EMMPA) to strengthen Ethiopian media. I am committed to using my experience to uncover the truth, amplify marginalized voices, and drive meaningful change.

• Awarded the IGAD Prize (2023) for climate journalism that amplified marginalized voices and influenced environmental policy in the Horn of Africa. Co-founded and served as the first General Secretary of EMMPA (2019–present), establishing Ethiopia’s largest journalists’ association and advocating for press freedom.
• As Senior Editor at The Ethiopian Reporter (2020–present), Ethiopia’s leading private newspaper, I edit and mentor impactful political, diplomatic, and human-rights coverage reaching millions weekly. Selected for the UN Human Rights Council 51st Session media program (Geneva, 2022) and participated in over 10 high-level international trainings on conflict-sensitive reporting and hate-speech mitigation.
• Authored more than 297 English-language and 1,112 Amharic-language stories for The Ethiopian Reporter as of December 2025, covering politics, diplomacy, climate, human rights, and humanitarian crises. Secured exclusive interviews with prime ministers, ministers, parliamentarians, CEOs of major companies, and heads of regional and international organizations.
• Produced in-depth investigative reports that sparked public debate and policy discussions in one of Africa’s most challenging media environments. Effectively executing Strategic communication and media management role for key organizations and publish articles for some other international media outlets.

• Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association (EMMPA): I am the Co-founder and Executive member of the Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association (EMMPA), the biggest journalist association in Ethiopia.
• Consortium for climate Change Ethiopia (CCC-E) Media team: A consortium established to promote climate change adaptation and mitigation in Ethiopia through advocacy, capacity building, networking and partnerships, research and knowledge management, and experience sharing that improve and synergize CSOs endeavors in realizing climate-resilient sustainable development.

• Edit and mentor a team of reporters on political, diplomatic, climate, and human-rights stories for Ethiopia’s highest-circulation private newspaper

Level 3 License

• Ashenafi, Endale, Editor In chief for the Ethiopian Reporter newspaper, ashenafi.media@gmail.com, (+251) 912842335, Ethiopian Reporter newspaper, My professional references.
• Melaku, Demisse, Managing Editor for the Ethiopian Reporter newspaper, absolute2050@gmail.com, (+251) 911443819, Ethiopian Reporter newspaper, My professional references.
• Solomon, Muiche, Deputy President of Ethiopian Mass Media professionals Association and Journalist at DW, solomonmuchie@gmail.com, (+251) 9240499562, Ethiopian Mass Media professionals Association, My professional references.
• Elias, Meseret, Partner and Factchecker, eliasmeseret@gmail.com, (+1) 4438222487, My professional references.

• Seminar on Media Technolgy (03/05/2018 – 01/06/2018, China, Hunan Province): A seminar on media technologies was organized for media professionals.
• Bali Journalist professional exchange program (08/06/2019 – 19/06/2019, Bali, Indonesia)
• Training on quality Journalism, Germany Berlin (01/05/2022 – 07/05/2022, Berlin, Germany)
• Regional training for Media Practitioners on Hate Speech in Nairobi, Kenya (26/09/2022 – 28/09/2022, Nairobi, Kenya): Invited by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for a seminar and training workshop for media professionals on freedom of opinion and expression and combating hate speech, held in Nairobi, Kenya.
• Participated in the United Nation Human Rights Council 51st session media engagement program in Geneva, Switzerland (03/10/2022 – 07/10/2022, Geneva, Switzerland): I was among the nine selected journalists to attend the 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Participation in the 36 Indonesian international bussiness forum Jakarta (17/10/2022 – 22/10/2022, Jakarta, Indonesia): Indonesian International business forum
• Capacity Building Workshop on Conflict-Sensitive Practices, (Mombasa, Kenya, Jun 2023)
• IGAD media network on peace and Security (Nairobi, Kenya, August 2023)
• African Conference on Health Risk Reduction, Morocco, Marrakech, (September 2023) (27/09/2023 – 30/09/2023, Morocco, Marrakech)
• Seminar for Journalists of BRI Countries (11/07/2024 – 24/07/2024, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, China): I was among the 25 journalists selected globally to attend the Seminar on Journalists of BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) Countries. This seminar gathered media professionals from various BRI countries to discuss the role of journalism in promoting cooperation and development. During the seminar, I engaged with leading experts and fellow journalists, exchanging insights on effective communication strategies and the importance of cross-cultural understanding.
• Second Indonesia Africa Conference (01/09/2024 – 07/09/2024, Bali, Indonesia): I attended the Second Indonesia-Africa Conference in Bali as one of the selected journalists from Africa to participate in this historic event. The conference aimed to strengthen partnerships between Indonesia and African nations, focusing on trade, investment, and sustainable development. My role as a journalist allowed me to report on key discussions, insights, and outcomes from the conference, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing mutual challenges.

• Driving Licence: B1
• Driving Licence: B
• Driving Licence: BE